PhD student develops toolkit to help make criminal justice system fairer for people with FASD

FASD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and it is often invisible. Individuals may appear articulate and capable, yet struggle with memory, suggestibility, language and comprehension in ways that can place them at a serious disadvantage in the justice system.

Research carried out at the University of Salford shows that around 3-4% of school-age children in Greater Manchester may have FASD, but it is often missed or misdiagnosed. Individuals with FASD are 19 times more likely to be involved in the criminal justice system.

University of Salford PhD candidate Uzma Naseem chaired the development of the 'Planning to Question Someone with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder' toolkit, which has now been published with The Advocate's Gateway.

The Advocates Gateway toolkits provide advocates with good practice guidance in court proceedings involving a witness or a defendant with communication needs.

Uzma says: “I cannot thank everyone enough for all their efforts in relation to this groundbreaking document - I hope it raises awareness of FASD, equips professionals to support defendants/witnesses and makes a real difference to individuals with FASD involved in the justice system.”

A number of other contributors to the toolkit are also based at Salford:

• Professor Clare S. Allely, Professor of Forensic Psychology
• Dr David J. Gilbert, University Research Fellow
• Tania Goddard, Solicitor (Law Society of England and Wales), PhD Candidate
• Professor Raja A. S. Mukherjee, Honorary Professor
• Dr Alan Price, Lecturer in Psychology

The toolkit can be accessed on The Advocates Gateway's website, it is Toolkit 22.